2009 Festival Dates

Festivals form an inseparable part of the Bhutanese culture. The Tshechus (festivals) are celebrated for 3 to 5 days in which both monks and laymen take part in the dances.

Dancers reenact legendary events, with monks playing exotic musical instruments. Elaborate dances tell us moral tales, dances intended to purify a place and protect it from evil spirits and dances that proclaim the victory of Buddhism and the glory of Guru Rimpoche.

The highlight of most Tshechus is the brief unfurling of the Dzong’s huge appliqué thangka, representing Guru Rimpoche and his eight manifestations. Better known as a Thongdrel, the Bhutanese believe that by viewing this they are delivered from the cycles of reincarnations.

At the festivals the Atsaras or clowns weaving expressive masks are a welcome sight. Tshechus are also a time for the Bhutanese people to socialize with family, friends and acquaintances. These festivals both in terms of the ways of celebrations and rituals are well preserved over centuries.

Festival dates for 2009

Please note that the dates are tentative. Please consult with your tour operator for confirmation.
Bhutanese Lunar Calendar may not be as same as Chinese Lunar Calendar.

Festival	Place	Dates (2009)	Bhutanese Dates
Punakha Dromche	Punakha	3 – 5 March	7 – 9 Month 1
Punakha Tshechu	Punakha	6 – 8 March	10 – 12 Month 1
Bulli Mani (Chumme)	Bumthang	12 – 14 March	16 – 18 Month 1
Tharpaling Thongdrol	Bumthang	11 March	15 Month 1
Tangsibi Mani	Ura, Bumthang	11 – 14 March	15 – 18 Month 1
Gayden Chodpa	Ura, Bumthang	24 – 26 March	28 – 30 Month 1
Chorten Kora	Trashiyangtse	11 and 26 March	15 and 30 Month 1
Gomkora	Trashigang	2 – 4 April	8 – 10 Month 2
Paro Tshechu	Paro	5 – 9 April	11 – 15 Month 2
Chhukha Tshechu	Chhukha	7 – 9 April	13 – 15 Month 2
Ura Yakchoe	Bumthang	5 – 9 May	12 – 16 Month 3
Nimalung Tshechu	Bumthang	30 June – 2 July	8 – 10 Month 5
Kurjey Tshechu	Bumthang	2 July	10 Month 5
Wangdue Tshechu	Wangdue Phodrang	26 – 28 September	8 – 10 Month 8
Tamshingphala Choepa	Bumthang	28 – 30 September	10 – 12 Month 8
Thimphu Drupchen	Thimphu	23 – 27 September	5 – 9 Month 8
Thimphu Tshechu	Thimphu	28 – 30 September	10 – 12 Month 8
Tangbi Mani	Bumthang	3 – 5 October	14 – 16 Month 8
Shingkhar Rabney	Ura, Bumthang	24 – 28 October	6 – 10 Month 9
Jakar Dzong Tshechu	Bumthang	26 – 29 October	8 – 11 Month 9
Jambay Lhakhang Drup	Bumthang	2 – 6 November	15 – 18 Month 9
Prakhar Duchhoed	Bumthang	3 – 5 November	16 – 18 Month 9
Sumdrang Kangsol	Ura, Bumthang	13 – 16 November	27 – 30 Month 9
Mongar Tshechu	Mongar	25 – 27 November	8 – 10 Month 10
Pemagatshel Tshechu	Pemagatshel	25 – 27 November	8 – 10 Month 10
Trashigang Tshechu	Trashigang	26 – 28 November	8 – 10 Month 10
Namkha Rabney	Tang, Bumthang	27 – 28 November	9-10 Month 10
Nalakhar Tshechu	Bumthang	2 – 4 December	15 – 17 Month 10
Chozam Rabney	Tang, Bumthang	2 – 5 December	15 – 18 Month 10
Trongsa Tshechu	Trongsa	25 – 27 December	9 – 11 Month 11
Lhuntse Tshechu	Lhuntse	25 – 27 December	9 – 11 Month 11
Nabji Lhakhang Drup	Nabji, Trongsa	31 Dec, 2009 – 4 Jan, 2010	15 – 19 Month 11
Shingkhar Metochodpa	Ura, Bumthang	31 Dec	15 Month 11